Barrel-vent



(No Model.)

F.. HOPKINS, BARREL VENT Patented Nov, 2, 1886,

lilly/fg?.

WITNESSES TRY ' ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

FREDERICK HOPKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BARREL-VENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 351,932, dated November 2, 1886.

` l Application led August 30, 1886. Serial No. 212,232. (No model.)v

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK HOPKINS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvernent in Barrel-Vents, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved vent, intended especially for use on beer-barrels andsimilar vessels, and seeks to provide a construction by which air may be admitted to the vessel to permit the Withdrawal of the contents at -the top, and yet will prevent the exit or passage of gases from the barrel.

In the drawings, Figure 1' is a sectional view of my improvement in place on a barrel, the vent being opened; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vent.

The vent is shown as formed of a carrier, a valve, and a cap. The carrier is formed of a main tube, A, and avalve-support, B. The main tube is formed with a lower portion, 1, which may be adapted, as shown, to facilitate its projection into a Cask, and is perforated at 2. At its upper'end the main tube is threaded to receive the valve-support B, which is threaded thereinto, and has an inwardly-projecting annular portion, b, through which is formed centrally an opening, 3, which serves as a guide for the valve. It will be seen that the upper end of the valve-support B is dished out at B', forming a bowl-like cavity, from the base of which the opening 3 extends through the support. At the upper end of opening 3 I form a circular or annular recess, 8, fitted to receive the top liange, 6, of the tube C when the latter is lowered, so that the top of such tube forms practically the bottom of the cavity B. This valve C is fitted to and movable longitudinally in the opening 8. I form this valve after the fashion of a tube, having lateral perforations or openings 4 and an imperforate bottom, 5, and it preferably has radial anges 6 at its ends to retain it in its guide. The tube-valve has an opening, 7, through its top for the passage ofthe air into the barrel when the vent is open; but this opening may, if desired, be formed through the side of the valve by providing a suitable stop to limit the downward movement of the valve. The caplpiece D is threaded onto the valve-support, and is perforated at d. This is preferred, because by threading the cap onto the valvesupport and the latter into the main tube the cap may be removed to gain access to the valve, or the valve-support may be removed with the cap when it is desired to reach the interior of the main tube.`

In operation, it will b e seen, the external airpressure, when the top is opened, will force the tube-like valve down and air will pass therethrough and into the barrel or cask.4 When the top is closed, the gas or other pressure within the barrel will force the valve up and close the vent, the device being thus perfectly automatic in its operation.

Having thus described my invention, what` I claim as new isl. The vent, substantially as herein described and shown, comprising the main tube, the valve-support adjustable into and out of the main tube and having an opening forming a valve-guide, the cap, the tubular valve movable longitudinally in the valve support, and having openings 4 and 7, and having stopfianges 6, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the carrier having a bowl-like cavity, B, in its upper end, and provided with an opening, 3, and a circular or annular recess, 8, and the valve having perforations 4 and 7, and niovably supported in opening 3, said valve being provided with a flange, 6, movable into and out of the recess 8, all being yconstructed and arranged substantially as set forth.

3. The improved Vent, substantially as herein described and shown, consisting of the main tube A', the valve-support B, threaded thereinto and having a bowl-like cavity, B', a recess, 8, and an opening, 3, the valve C, having openings 4 and 7, and provided with end flanges, 6 6, andthe cap having opening d and threaded onto the valve-support B, substantially asset forth.

FREDERICK HOPKINS.

Witnesses: v

GUsrAvUs J. J oHNsoN, Taos. GARLAND. 

